Quantum-enhanced plasmonic sensing

Mohammadjavad Dowran, Ashok Kumar, Benjamin J. Lawrie, Raphael C. Pooser, Alberto M. Marino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

106 Scopus citations

Abstract

Quantum resources can enhance the sensitivity of a device beyond the classical shot noise limit and, as a result, revolutionize the field of metrology through the development of quantum-enhanced sensors. In particular, plasmonic sensors, which are widely used in biological and chemical sensing applications, offer a unique opportunity to bring such an enhancement to real-life devices. Here, we use bright entangled twin beams to enhance the sensitivity of a plasmonic sensor used to measure local changes in the refractive index. We demonstrate a 56% quantum enhancement in the sensitivity of a state-of-the-art plasmonic sensor when compared with the corresponding classical configuration and a 24% quantum enhancement whenp compared to an optimal single-beam classical configuration. We measure sensitivities on the order of 10−10 RIU∕ Hz, nearly 5 orders of magnitude better than previous proof-of-principle implementations of quantum-enhanced plasmonic sensors. These results promise significant enhancements in ultra-trace label-free plasmonic sensing and will find their way into areas ranging from biomedical applications to chemical detection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)628-633
Number of pages6
JournalOptica
Volume5
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 20 2018

Funding

Acknowledgment. The fabrication of the plasmonic structures was performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, operated by UT-Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy under contract no. DE-AC05-00OR22725. The nanofabrication and electron microscopy were performed at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility.

FundersFunder number
U.S. Department of EnergyDE-AC05-00OR22725
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
UT-Battelle

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